Volume 56, No.

6 June 2009

Belt Pull, Static Belt Pull, Shaft Load, and Bearing Load
A static belt pull field was recently added to the tensioning section of Design Flex Pro printouts. The purpose of this PA Note is to explain and provide practical understanding of belt pull, static belt pull, shaft load and bearing load calculations.

Belt Pull
Belt Pull Definition Belt Pull is defined as the vectoral addition of tight and slack side belt span tensions based on input load (not design load). It represents the magnitude of pull that belt drives are expected to exert on shafts while transmitting input loads. The Belt Pull calculation assumes belts are pretensioned to the ideal level, which assumes a tension ratio of 5:1 for V-belt drives and 8:1 for synchronous belt drives. Formulas for tight and slack side belt span tensions are as follows: 5:1 Tension Ratio
TT = (157 , 575 )( HP ) ( PD )( RPM )

8:1 Tension Ratio

TT = (144 , 067 )( HP ) ( PD )( RPM )

( 31, 515 )( HP ) TS = ( PD )( RPM )

(18 , 008 )( HP ) TS = ( PD )( RPM )

Where: TT = Tight Span Tension (lbf) TS = Slack Span Tension (lbf) HP = Input Horsepower PD = Pitch Diameter (in) RPM = Revolutions per Minute

The Belt Pull calculation does not include a centrifugal tension component. When in operation, belts are subjected to centrifugal forces that counteract the centrifugal tension component of belt installation tension, so shaft loading is not affected. New and used belt tension multipliers are also not applied even though they affect the magnitude of Belt Pull. Actual Belt Pull rises with increased belt installation tension and falls as belt tension decays over time. But, calculated Belt Pull represents the ideal theoretical sum of belt span forces exerted on shafts. Lastly, the Belt Pull calculation does not include sheave or sprocket weight. Belt Pull only represents the pure dynamic force of belt span tensions exerted on shafts. Practical Application For V-belt drives, the arc of belt contact on the small sheave heavily influences belt installation tension levels. Belt tension multipliers and centrifugal tension values are also significant.

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2 Because V-belt installation tension levels are fairly high, Static Belt Pull values may likely exceed calculated Belt Pull values. For synchronous belt drives, the arc of belt contact does not influence belt installation tension levels. Belt tension multipliers and centrifugal tension values are also lower than for V-belt drives. Because belt installation tension levels for synchronous belt drives are lower than V-belt drives, Static Belt Pull and Belt Pull Values will generally be in reasonable agreement.

Static Belt Pull

Static Belt Pull Definition Static Belt Pull is defined as the vectoral addition of static belt span tensions. The calculation is based on input load (not design load), and includes a centrifugal belt tension component. The calculation also includes minimum and maximum multipliers for both new and used belts. Actual Static Belt Pull is dependent upon the actual belt installation tension levels applied, and will change as belts are re-tensioned and as belt tension decays. Static Belt Pull represents the actual force of static belt span tensions exerted on shafts. The magnitude of Static Belt Pull is generally greater than Belt Pull because of the centrifugal belt tension component as well as new and used belt tension multipliers. Practical Application The magnitude of Static Belt Pull depends on the level of belt installation tension applied. The initial magnitude for new belts will be the highest value and will decrease as belt tension slowly decays. When V-belts are re-tensioned, Static Belt Pull will increase proportionally. The actual magnitude of Belt Pull (dynamic) also rises and falls with the level of belt installation tension, but is not reflected in the Belt Pull calculation. Some applications, such as oil pressure bearings, are especially sensitive to static shaft loads. In these cases, Static Belt Pull values are most appropriate to provide.

Shaft Load
Shaft Load Definition Shaft Load is defined as the vectoral addition of belt span tensions including sheave and sprocket weights. Shaft load calculations may be based on either Belt Pull or Static Belt Pull. Depending on the resultant direction of belt span tensions with respect to gravity, sheave or sprocket weight may either add to or subtract from the pull of the belt spans.

Adding To Belt Span Pull

Subtracting From Belt Span Pull

3 Because of variability in sheave or sprocket weight and drive orientation, Shaft Load values must be calculated on an application-by-application basis. Practical Application Sheave and sprocket weight values are generally small when compared to the magnitudes of Belt Pull or Static Belt Pull, so the magnitude of Shaft Load is generally not significantly different. Shaft Load values are not commonly calculated in belt power transmission design.

Bearing Load
Bearing Load Definition The amount of radial load applied to bearings influences bearing life and performance, which is important to equipment users. Belt Pull, Static Belt Pull, and Shaft Load values are generally assumed to be applied at the center of the sheave or sprocket face width. Shaft support bearings are always mounted adjacent to the point at which pulling force is applied to shafts, and bearing placement influences bearing load sharing.

Load at A =

Shaft Load x b a

Load at C =
Load at D =

Shaft Load x d (c + d )
Shaft Load x c (c + d )

Load at B =

Shaft Load x (a + b) a

Bearing load values must be calculated on an application-by-application basis. Practical Application Manufacturers of power transmission components such as gear reducers, often publish their own unique bearing load calculations that may produce different results than the calculations presented above. In these cases, always defer to component manufacturers calculations.